About Zinnia Flowers

There are 20 species of zinnias.

Zinnia flowers are available in 20 species and have large, vibrant blooms. These hardy flowers are easy to care for and can grow in nearly every region, from early summer to the first frost. Depending on the type of zinnia you choose, zinnias may flower annually or perennially, making them popular among gardeners who want to create a colorful garden landscape.

The Facts

From the family Asteraceae, zinnia flowers are popular for landscaping and floral arrangements. They come in various shapes and sizes, and are considered somewhat drought tolerant. Some types of butterflies are attracted to zinnias, making them a popular flower for butterfly gardens.

Care

Zinnias are easy to grow and care for. These flowers thrive in hot weather and heavy doses of sunlight. According to expert gardeners Linn Mills and Dick Post, authors of the "Nevada Gardener's Guide," a twice-weekly watering schedule and monthly doses of fertilizer will help gardeners grow beautiful zinnias: "Even though they like the hot weather, you don't want to let zinnias wilt, so give them 1 inch of water twice a week. They will bloom much better if you fertilize them every three weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer mixed according to directions."

Varieties

There are 20 different species of zinnias, ranging from miniature, button-sized blooms to giant blooms the size of a tennis ball. They are available in a wide variety of colors, such as purple, pink, red, orange, yellow and white. Some varieties are bred to climb trellises, while others are bred to grow close to the ground. Varieties such as Cut and Come Again are excellent to use as cutting flowers.

Growing Tips

Mills and Post add, "Zinnias germinate very fast from seed and can be planted directly into the garden in almost all regions; the only drawback is you have to wait about six weeks for the flowers...They do best in a well-drained soil in a sunny site."

Pinching off dead flowers promotes new bloom growth. Placing mulch around the plant's base holds in ground moisture and reduces weeds.

Origins

According to The Flower Expert website, the name zinnia is derived from the last name of German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn. The zinnia flower does well in heavy heat and sunshine because it is originally from a warm climate. The Flower Expert site states that "Zinnias originally grew as wildflowers native to the southwest United States, Mexico and Central America."

References

• Nevada Gardener's Guide; Linn Mills and Dick Post; 2005
• The Flower Expert: Zinnia